Two Indian males, who have been roommates in New Zealand, drowned when a rogue wave hit them whereas attempting to swim in one of the crucial harmful spots at Piha Seashore, based on media reviews.
The deceased, recognized as Saurin Nayankumar Patel, 28, and Anshul Shah, 31, spent solely half-hour on the seashore in North Island final week earlier than tragedy struck, The New Zealand Herald newspaper reported. They have been described as “non-swimmers” by their households.
The 2 hailed from Ahmedabad in Gujarat and have been roommates in Auckland.
A good friend of the 2 lifeless males, Hiren Patel, mentioned one other good friend, Apurv Modi, was additionally within the water when a rogue wave pulled the trio aside.
Modi reached for Patel’s hand however couldn’t maintain on as he “screamed and shouted” for assist, Hiren mentioned.
“It’s with God’s grace that Apurv Modi survived. He managed to return to shore however he misplaced his pals,” Hiren mentioned.
Patel was {an electrical} engineer who arrived in New Zealand in August final 12 months, whereas Shah labored as a cashier at a gasoline station and got here right here in November, the report mentioned.
A lifeguard noticed the duo swimming in a harmful spot because the guards have been going off patrol on January 21, United North Piha Surf Lifesaving Membership president Robert Ferguson mentioned.
A rescue name was launched, however by the point the lifeguards bought into place, the 2 have been lacking.
In response to Ferguson, the rescue boat discovered the primary sufferer however efforts to resuscitate him failed.
The second sufferer was noticed by the police helicopter, however he too, couldn’t be revived.
“The place they went in, I wouldn’t have gone in,” Ferguson mentioned.
Indian Excessive Fee’s second secretary Durga Dass confirmed the identities of the deceased and mentioned, “It’s a large tragedy for the Indian group, the lack of these two males, and our ideas exit to their households,” based on the report.
The Indian Excessive Fee in Wellington was in contact with the 2 victims’ households.